System and method for all-inside suture fixation for implant attachment and soft tissue repair

ABSTRACT

A system for repairing a meniscus includes a suture including a first anchor, a second anchor, and a flexible portion connecting the first anchor and the second anchor. The flexible portion includes a self-locking slide knot between the first anchor and the second anchor. The system also includes a needle having a longitudinal extending bore and an open end. The bore is configured to receive the first anchor and the second anchor. The system further includes a pusher configured to be movable within the bore of the needle. The pusher is configured to (1) discharge the first anchor and the second anchor, and (2) push the self-locking slide knot after the discharge of the second anchor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/650,131, filed Feb. 7, 2005 and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ALL-INSIDE SUTURE FIXATION FOR IMPLANT ATTACHMENT AND SOFT TISSUE REPAIR,” the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a system and method for attaching an implant during meniscal repair and for other soft tissue repair. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for an all-inside suture fixation device and method designed for the placement of surgical anchors for the attachment of an implant to the meniscus and for soft tissue repair. The present invention also relates to a system designed to reduce, or bring into close approximation, pieces of torn or damaged soft tissue to facilitate tissue repair and healing.

2. Description of Related Art

There are current procedures for surgical attachment of a soft tissue implant in a joint, such as an autograft, allograft, or xenograft tissue or other compatible tissues and/or devices. Such implants may be bioresorbable and/or non-resorbable, synthetic and/or non-synthetic. One example of a bioresorbable implant is the ReGen® CMI™, a collagen-based meniscus implant, the surgical attachment of which can involve techniques that are difficult to master. There is a need, therefore, for a fixation device to facilitate a faster, easier to use method for attaching an implant to a host tissue. Suture fixation devices, such as the FAST-FIX™ and RAPIDLOC™, which were designed to repair tears in meniscus tissue, have certain limitations in their delivery of anchors to attach an implant to the meniscal rim in that they may cause unnecessary destruction to the implant and require additional instruments and steps that are not integral to the device itself. The needle used to pass the anchor through an implant and through the meniscal rim punctures the implant in a manner that may lead to tearing of the implant matrix. There is a need, therefore, for a dimensionally smaller device that employs a smaller needle that delivers a less destructive anchor through an implant and the meniscus, thereby reducing the size of the puncture hole in the implant and the potential for tearing the implant matrix.

There is a need, therefore, for a fixation device that includes an integrated knot pusher to secure the delivered anchor, and optionally, also includes a suture cutter for use after one or more anchors have been secured. Techniques that require separate instruments for knot pushing and suture cutting are less efficient, and require greater skill, time, and additional manipulation at the surgical site.

Prior art devices and methods for suture fixation of an implant to soft tissue within a joint typically tear the matrix of the implant during needle insertion and/or anchor delivery. There remains a need for a device and method for fixing an implant to soft tissue that can insert anchors through the implant and host tissue with minimal destruction of the implant, in a well-controlled and easy manner. Also, there remains a need for a device and method for fixing a collagen-based meniscus implant to the host meniscal tissue, in a well-controlled and easy manner, whereby the needle and anchor insertion cause minimal to no destruction of the collagen-based meniscus implant. Also, there remains a need for a device and method for fixing a collagen-based meniscus implant to the host meniscal tissue that puts adequate tension between the anchors in a well-controlled and easy manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The fixation delivery system of the present invention is an integrated design for use with the multiple elements required for suture fixation when attaching a soft tissue implant to host tissue or when performing tissue repair procedures in general. The present system and method achieves the deployment of anchors into soft tissue and knot pushing with the use of a single instrument, and, optionally, may also provide for suture cutting within that single instrument. The hollow needle applicator and anchors are of smaller dimensions than current applicators and anchors to minimize the damage to the implant during needle insertion and anchor deployment.

In an embodiment of the invention, the applicator for deployment of the anchors includes a hollow needle or cannula having a longitudinal extending bore and an open end, into which a suture, which includes two surgical anchors, is loaded. The first anchor and the second anchor are connected via a flexible portion of the suture. The flexible portion includes a self-locking slide knot located between the first anchor and the second anchor. The needle is inserted into an incision already made in the patient's body, through the implant, and through the host meniscus to the outside rim of the meniscus, or through the soft tissue requiring repair. Alternatively, the needle may penetrate directly through the patient's skin and into the joint capsule comprising the knee. The first anchor is ejected from the tip of the hollow needle by gripping the handle of the applicator and pulling the trigger, which advances a push rod within the hollow needle. The anchor is released from the open end of the needle to seat firmly on the surface of the soft tissue or rim of the meniscus (i.e., the meniscus rim). The needle is removed from the initial insertion site and inserted through the implant and through the meniscus or host soft tissue a short distance from the initial insertion point, without removing the needle from the patient's body. The second anchor is deployed by gripping the trigger of the applicator to advance the push rod a second time and release the second anchor. The needle is withdrawn or retracted from the second insertion site, thereby leaving two anchors positioned on the outside rim of the meniscus. The push rod, or pusher, functions as a knot pusher and can be used to push a self-locking slide knot, located on the flexible portion between the first and second anchors, until the knot is flush with the implant. Also, the flexible portion may be tightened by hand until adequate tension is applied to hold the pair of anchors firmly in place. Excess length of the flexible portion/suture can be cut using a cutter, which may be in the form of a suture cutting surface on the applicator. Again, the system is designed so that the deployment of the anchors, the pushing of the self-locking slide knot, and the optional cutting may all be completed without removing the needle from the patient's body.

In an embodiment, a system for repairing a meniscus is provided. The system includes a suture that includes a first anchor, a second anchor, and a flexible portion connecting the first anchor and the second anchor. The flexible portion includes a self-locking slide knot between the first anchor and the second anchor. The system also includes a needle having a longitudinal extending bore and an open end. The bore is configured to receive the first anchor and the second anchor. The system further includes a pusher configured to be movable within the bore of the needle. The pusher is configured to (1) discharge the first anchor and the second anchor, and (2) push the self-locking slide knot after the discharge of the second anchor.

In embodiment, a method for repairing a meniscus is provided. The method includes providing a system for repairing a meniscus. The system includes a suture that includes a first anchor, a second anchor, and a flexible portion connecting the first anchor and the second anchor. The flexible portion includes a self-locking slide knot between the first anchor and the second anchor. The system also includes a needle having a longitudinal extending bore and an open end. The bore is configured to receive the first anchor and the second anchor. The system further includes a pusher configured to be movable within the bore of the needle. The pusher is configured to (1) discharge the first anchor and the second anchor, and (2) push the self-locking slide knot after the discharge of the second anchor. The method also includes providing an implant, passing the needle of the system through the implant and the meniscus at a first location to deliver the first anchor to an opposite side of the meniscus, retracting the needle from the meniscus and the implant, passing the needle of the system through the implant and the meniscus at a second location to deliver the second anchor to the opposite side of the meniscus, and pushing the self-locking slide knot to a surface of the implant.

In an embodiment, a method for repairing a meniscus in a body with an implant and a suture is provided. The method includes inserting a needle through the implant and the meniscus at a first location, delivering a first anchor of the suture to an opposite side of the meniscus, retracting the needle from the meniscus and the implant, inserting the needle through the implant and the meniscus at a second location, and delivering a second anchor of the suture to the opposite side of the meniscus. The second anchor is connected to the first anchor with a flexible portion of the suture. The method also includes pushing a self-locking slide knot located along the flexible portion between the first anchor and the second anchor to a surface of the implant. The delivering of the second anchor and the pushing the self-locking knot are completed without removing the needle from the body.

In an embodiment, a method for repairing a tear in a meniscus in a body with a suture is provided. The method includes inserting a needle through the meniscus at a first location, delivering a first anchor of the suture to an opposite side of the meniscus, retracting the needle from the meniscus, inserting the needle through the meniscus at a second location on an opposite side of the tear as the first location, and delivering a second anchor of the suture to the opposite side of the meniscus. The second anchor is connected to the first anchor with a flexible portion of the suture. The method further includes pushing a self-locking slide knot located along the flexible portion between the first anchor and the second anchor to a surface of the meniscus. The delivering of the second anchor and the pushing of the self-locking knot are completed without removing the needle from the body.

In an embodiment, an applicator for delivering a suture to an implant for repairing a meniscus in a body is provided. The suture includes a first anchor, a second anchor, and a flexible portion that connects the first anchor to the second anchor. The applicator includes a needle having a longitudinal bore. The longitudinal bore is configured to receive the first anchor and the second anchor. The applicator also includes a pusher for pushing the first anchor and the second anchor out of the longitudinal bore of the needle. The pusher is configured to receive the flexible portion therein and expose a portion of the flexible portion of the suture. The applicator also includes a cutting surface configured to cut the suture.

With minor alterations, this anchor delivery system device may be used in other procedures for soft-tissue repair, and most preferably for arthroscopic procedures. Examples include, but are not limited to use in reparative procedures for soft tissue damage in joints, securing tissue grafts, and attaching resorbable implants and synthetic scaffolds to host tissue.

Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features of the invention are shown in the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like elements. The drawings form part of this original disclosure, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a system for all-inside suture fixation for implant attachment and soft tissue repair of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of a needle of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the needle of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of the needle for the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the needle of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a pusher of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a top view of an anchor of a suture of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an end view of the anchor of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the anchor of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a top view of another embodiment of an anchor of the suture for the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an end view of the anchor of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the anchor of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a view of an anchor threaded onto a flexible portion of the suture of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a view of the anchor and the flexible portion of FIG. 15 with a loop and a self-locking slide knot formed in the flexible portion;

FIG. 17 is a view of the anchor and the flexible portion of FIG. 16 with a second anchor positioned on the flexible portion;

FIG. 18 is a partial view of the second anchor and the flexible portion of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a partial view of the second anchor and the flexible portion of FIG. 17 with a needle threaded on the flexible portion;

FIG. 20 is a partial view of the needle threaded on the flexible portion and passing through the center of the suture at the second anchor;

FIG. 21 is a partial view of the needle passing through the center of the suture at the second anchor a second time;

FIG. 22 is a view of the anchor with a knot securing it to the flexible portion;

FIG. 23 is a partial view of the flexible portion and the second anchor at one end thereof;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a meniscus with an implant positioned on the meniscus;

FIG. 25 is a view of the implant after it has been stapled to the meniscus;

FIG. 26 is a view of the suture of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 27 is a top view of the needle with the pusher extended therefrom;

FIG. 28 is a side view of the suture being threaded into the pusher and the needle;

FIG. 29 is a side view of the suture further being threaded into the pusher and the needle;

FIG. 30 is a top view of the needle with the suture loaded therein;

FIG. 31 is a side view of the needle of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a top view of the needle of the system of FIG. 1 piercing the implant and meniscus of FIG. 25 at a first location;

FIG. 33 is a top view of the needle of FIG. 32 after the first anchor has been ejected from the needle with the pusher;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the needle of FIG. 32 after it has been pulled back through the meniscus and implant;

FIG. 35 is a top view of the needle of FIG. 32 piercing the implant and meniscus of FIG. 25 at a second location;

FIG. 36 is a top view of the needle of FIG. 35 after the second anchor has been ejected from the needle with the pusher;

FIG. 37 is a top view of the needle of FIG. 35 after is has been pulled back through the meniscus and implant;

FIG. 38 is a top view of the needle of FIG. 37 with the pusher extended out of the needle;

FIG. 39 is a top view of the needle of FIG. 38 with the pusher pushing the knot against the implant;

FIG. 40 is a top view of the needle of FIG. 39 after it has been pulled back following knot pushing and suture tensioning;

FIG. 41 is a side view of the needle of FIG. 40 with the suture exposed to the needle cutting surface;

FIG. 42 is a side view of another embodiment of the needle of FIG. 40 with the suture exposed to a cutting surface on a cutting sheath; and

FIG. 43 is a top view of the repaired meniscus with the suture tightly in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A system 1 for repairing a meniscus according to embodiments of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The system 1 includes an applicator 10 that is constructed and arranged to deploy a suture 12 to the meniscus. The suture 12 generally includes a flexible portion 58 and a pair of anchors 60, 70. The suture 12 will be discussed in greater detail below.

The application 10 includes a body portion 14 that defines a handle 16 that is configured to be grasped by the user. The body portion 14 of the applicator 10 receives a cannula 18 that extends from the body portion 14 in a direction that is away from the handle 16. The body portion 14 and cannula 18 may be constructed and arranged like those described and shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,252, entitled Device and Method for Driving a Needle and Meniscal Repair, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Because the inner workings of the body portion 14 are not related to the present invention, they are not described in detail herein.

The applicator 10 also includes a needle 20 that is connected to a distal end of the cannula 18. Of course, the needle 20 may be considered to be a part of the cannula 18 itself. The needle 20 will be described in greater detail below. The applicator 10 also includes a pusher 23 that includes a hollow rod 24 that extends through the body portion 14, the cannula 18, and is slidingly received by the needle 20. A knob 26 is attached to one end of the rod 24 and a spacer 28 with a tab 29 is disposed between the knob 26 and a proximal end 15 of the body portion 14 so that the movement of the knob 26 relative to the body portion 14 and, hence, movement of the rod 24 relative to the needle 20, may be limited to prevent premature ejection of one of the anchors 60 prior to the placement of the other anchor 70, as described in further detail below. A trigger 30 is connected to and extends from the body portion 14, as shown in FIG. 1. The trigger 30 is configured to manually control the advancement of the rod 24 within the cannula 18. A side lever 32 is connected to the body portion so as to be pivotable thereon. Operation of the side lever 32 will be discussed in greater detail below.

As shown in FIG. 1, a depth penetration limiter 21 is placed over the distal end of the cannula 18 so as to partially cover the needle 20. The limiter 21 provides the user with a visualization of the depth of the needle 20 in the tissue to avoid neurovascular injury. An outer sheath 22 is placed over the limiter 21 to aid in the insertion of the cannula 18 into the incision already created in the patient. The outer sheath 22 is preferably designed to partially surround the limiter 21 so that the user may still see at least a portion of the limiter 21 when the needle 20 is being inserted into the incision. The outer sheath 22 is removed by the user once the cannula 18 has been inserted into the incision site.

One embodiment of a needle 20 a that may be used as the needle 20 in FIG. 1 is shown in FIGS. 2-4. As shown, the needle 20 a includes a sleeve 34 a that is attached to the cannula 18 at a proximal end. The needle 20 a also includes a distal end 36 a that is connected to the sleeve 34 a and is constructed and arranged to be inserted into a meniscus or a tissue. The distal end 36 a is substantially straight and includes a point 38 a for piercing the meniscus or tissue and a slot 40 a, which allows for the flexible portion 58 of the suture 12 to extend out of the needle 20 a. As shown in the Figures, the distal end 36 a of the needle 20 a also includes a cutting surface 37 a that is constructed and arranged to cut excess suture 12, which will be described in greater detail below.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, a cutting sheath 35 a that at least partially surrounds the distal end 36 a may also be provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting sheath 35 a completely surrounds the circumference of the distal end 36 a. In other embodiments, the cutting sheath 35 a may only partially surround the distal end 36 a. The cutting sheath 35 a is configured to be slidable relative to the distal end 36 a so that it may be moved longitudinally along the distal end 36 a toward the point 38 a, and then moved back again toward the sleeve 34 a. The cutting sheath 35 a may include a tab that extends outward from the needle 20 a so that the user my manipulate the cutting sheath 35 a via the tab. As shown, the cutting sheath 35 a includes at least one cutting surface 33 a that is constructed and arranged to cut excess suture 12, which will be described in greater detail below.

As shown in FIG. 4, the distal end 36 a is configured to hold the pair of anchors 60, 70 of the suture 12. The needle 20 a may include a dimple 39 a located near the point 38 a to assist in seating the anchors 60, 70 prior to deployment of the anchors 60, 70 from the needle 20 a, as will be described in greater detail below. The needle 20 a is preferably manufactured from stainless steel, and is sized to withstand insertion through the implant and the meniscus substantially without bending or buckling.

Another embodiment of a needle 20 b that may be used as the needle 20 in the applicator 10 is shown in FIGS. 5-7. As shown, the needle 20 b includes a sleeve 34 b that is attached to the cannula 18 at a proximal end. The needle 20 b also includes a distal end 36 b that is connected to the sleeve 34 b and is constructed and arranged to be inserted into a meniscus or a tissue. The distal end 36 b is curved such that it extends at an angle α relative to the sleeve 34 b. The angle α may be about 15-45°, and is preferably about 30°. The distal end 36 b also includes a point 38 b for piercing the meniscus or tissue and a slot 40 b, which allows for portions of the suture 12 to extend out of the needle 20 b. The distal end 36 b of the needle 20 b also includes at least one cutting surface 37 b that is constructed and arranged to cut excess suture 12.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, a cutting sheath 35 b that at least partially surrounds the distal end 36 b may also be provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting sheath 35 b completely surrounds the circumference of the distal end 36 b. In other embodiments, the cutting sheath 35 b may only partially surrounds the distal end 36 b. The cutting sheath 35 b is configured to be slidable relative to the distal end 36 b so that it may be moved longitudinally along the distal end 36 b toward the point 38 b, and back again to the sleeve 34 b. The cutting sheath 35 b may include a tab that extends outward from the needle 20 b so that the user my manipulate the cutting sheath 35 b via the tab. As shown, the cutting sheath 35 b includes a cutting surface 33 b that is constructed and arranged to cut excess suture 12.

As shown in FIG. 7, the distal end 36 b is also configured to hold the pair of anchors 60, 70. The needle 20 b may also include a dimple 39 b located near the point 38 b to assist in seating the anchors 60, 70 prior to deployment. Like the needle 20 a of FIGS. 2-4, the needle 20 b is preferably manufactured from stainless steel, and is sized to withstand insertion through the implant and the meniscus substantially without bending or buckling.

An embodiment of the pusher 23 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 8. The rod 24 is hollow and is configured to receive the flexible portion 58 of the suture 12 that extends away from the needle 20. The knob 26 includes a hole for receiving the rod 24, so that the flexible portion 58 of the suture 12 may extend through the knob 26 as well. A distal portion of the rod 24 includes a pair of slots 42 that are configured to allow the flexible portion 58 of the suture 12 to be threaded out of the rod 24 via one slot 42 (the distal slot) and back into the rod 24 via the other slot 42 (the proximal slot), as represented by an exposed portion 44 of the flexible portion 58 of the suture 12. This threading of the suture 12 properly aligns the exposed portion 44 relative to the rod 24 to facilitate the cutting of the suture 12, which will be described in further detail below. As shown in FIG. 7, the rod 24 may be flexible so that it may be used with the embodiment of the needle 20 b described above.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrated an embodiment of an anchor 46 that may be used as the anchors 60, 70 of the suture 12. As shown, the anchor 46 includes a tab 48 that extends upward from a body 50. The body 50 has opposing ends 51 that are substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis LA of the anchor 46. A hole 52 that is centered on the longitudinal axis LA extends through the body 50 and the tab 48 where the body 50 and tab 48 are connected. Otherwise, the body 50 includes a hollowed out half-cylinder 53 at portions where the tab 48 is not connected. The anchor 46 is preferably made out of a bioabsorbable polymer, such as poly(L-lactide).

Another embodiment of an anchor 54 for use in the suture 12 of the system 1 is shown in FIGS. 12-14. As shown, the anchor 54 is a solid rod with a pair of holes 56 that extend substantially perpendicularly through the longitudinal axis of the rod. The holes 56 are sized to receive a flexible portion of the suture 12. A recessed channel 57 is located between the holes 56 to seat the flexible portion 58 of the suture 12. Like the anchor 46, the anchor 54 is preferably made out of a bioabsorbable polymer, such as poly(L-lactide).

In another embodiment of an anchor that may be used as one or both of the anchors 60, 70 of the suture 12, the anchor may include at least one barb that is formed from or connected to a main body portion of the anchor. The barb may be constructed and arranged to be biased to an orientation in which a free end of the barb extends away from the body, yet is oriented such that the free end is near the body when suitable pressure is applied to the barb. The use of such an anchor with the system 1 will be described in greater detail below.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, further discussions of the anchors 60, 70 will be for the anchor 46 illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, although it is understood that the anchor 54 of FIGS. 12-14 may be used with slight modifications to the language used to describe the assembly of the suture 12. Such modifications would be readily appreciated by one of skill in the art and are therefore not described herein.

FIGS. 15-23 show the various stages of an embodiment of assembling the suture 12 of the system 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 15 shows the flexible portion 58 of the suture 12 with one anchor 60 threaded thereon. FIG. 16 shows a loop 62 and a knot 64 that closes the loop 62, with the anchor 60 being located within the loop 62. The knot 64 is preferably a self-locking slide knot. Methods for tying a self-locking slide knot are described in, for example, “A New Clinch Knot,” Weston, P. V., Obstetrics & Gynecology, Vol. 78, pp. 144-47 (1991); “Physical Properties of Self Locking and Conventional Surgical Knots,” Israelsson, L. A., et al., European Journal of Surgery, Vol. 160, No. 6-7, pp. 323-27 (1994); “Nicky's Knot—A New Slip Knot for Arthroscopic Surgery,” De Beer, J. F., et al., Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Relate Surgery, Vol. 14, No 1, pp. 109-110 (1998); “The Giant Knot: A New One-Way Self-Locking Secured Arthroscopic Slip Knot,” Fleega, B. A., et al., Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Relate Surgery, Vol. 15, No 4, pp. 451-52 (1999); “Arthroscopic Knot Tying Techniques,” Nottage, W. M., et al., Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Relate Surgery, Vol. 15, No 5, pp. 515-521 (1999); “The SMC Knot-A New Slip Knot With Locking Mechanism,” Kim, S., et al., Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Relate Surgery, Vol. 16, No 5, pp. 563-65 (2000); “Technical Note: A New Arthroscopic Sliding Knot,” Field, M. H., et al., Orthopedic Clinics of North America, Vol. 32, No. 3, pp. 525-26 (2001); “Arthroscopic Knot Tying,” Kim, S., et al., Techniques in Shoulder & Elbow Surgery, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 35-43 (2003); “The PC Knot: A Secure and Satisfying Arthroscopic Slip Knot,” Pallia, C. S., Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Relate Surgery, Vol. 19, No 5, pp. 558-560 (2003); and “The Tuckahoe Knot: A Secure Locking Slip Knot,” Wiley, W. B., et al., Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Relate Surgery, Vol. 20, No 5, pp. 556-59 (2004), all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Once the self-locking slide knot 64 has been tied, another anchor 70 is slid onto the flexible portion 58 until it is located approximately 7 mm from the knot 64, as shown in FIG. 17 (note that the Figures are not necessarily drawn to scale). This distance is only meant to be an example and is not intended to be limiting in any way. The flexible portion 58 of the suture 12 is tied off with one hitch knot 74 on the anchor 70, as shown in FIG. 18.

Next, as shown in FIG. 19, a needle 72 is threaded with the remainder of the flexible portion 58. The end of the flexible portion 58 with the needle 72 is passed through the center of the suture of the hitch knot twice to hold the hitch knot 74 in place, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. As shown in FIG. 22, the excess flexible portion 58 is cut, leaving approximately 2 mm as a tail. Finally, as shown in FIG. 23, the tip of the flexible portion 58 may be melted to prevent fraying of the suture 12. An assembled suture 12 before it is loaded into the applicator 10 is shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 24 shows a damaged meniscus 80 having a rim 81, and an implant 82 positioned adjacent the damaged part of the meniscus 80. The implant 82 may be any type of implant 82 suitable for such meniscus repair. Preferably, the implant 82 includes collagen. In an embodiment, the implant 82 includes the CMI, a collagen-based meniscus implant. The implant 82 illustrated in the Figures has already been cut to the appropriate size. Both ends of the implant 82 may be temporarily stapled or sutured using conventional means to hold the implant 82 in place while it is being secured to the meniscus 80. FIG. 25 shows a pair of staples 84, or sutures, holding the implant 82 in place.

To load the suture 12 into the applicator 10, the cannula 18, with the needle 20 a attached, is inserted into the body portion 14 of the applicator 10. In this embodiment, the needle 20 a of FIGS. 2-4 is shown. However, it is understood that the needle 20 b may also be used in the same way. The illustrated and described embodiments are not intended to be limiting in any way. While holding down the side lever 32 with a finger or a thumb, the rod 24 of the pusher 23 is inserted by the user into the proximal end 15 of the body portion 14, until the end of the rod 24 extends past the point 38 a of the needle 20 a with the slots 42 facing upward, as shown in FIG. 27.

Next, as shown in FIG. 28, an end 59 of the suture 12 that is opposite the anchor 70 is threaded though the rod 24 of the pusher 23 at the distal end 36 a of the needle 20 a. The end 59 of the suture 12 is laced through the distal end of the rod 24, pulled out of the rod 24 at the distal slot 42, threaded back into the rod 24 at the proximal slot 42, thereby leaving the exposed portion 44 outside of the rod 24. The end 59 of the suture 12 may extend several inches outside the pusher 23 beyond the proximal end 15 of the body portion 14 of the applicator 10 so that the user may grasp the suture 12 during the implant attachment procedure, which will be described below. Once the suture 12 has been loaded into the applicator 10, the user then presses the side lever 32 and retracts the pusher 23 back into the needle 20 a, as shown in FIG. 29, to locate the slots 42 and the exposed portion 44 of the suture 12 before the proximal end of the needle slot 40 a, as shown in FIG. 30. The anchor 60 is inserted into the distal end 36 a of the needle 20 a, and is followed by the anchor 70, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31. The end 59 of the flexible portion 58 that extends out of the pusher 23 at the proximal end 15 of the body portion 14 of the applicator 10 may be pulled so that the knot 64 is generally located on a side of the anchor 60 that is opposite the other anchor 70, as shown in FIG. 31 After the anchors 60, 70 are loaded into the cannula 18, a portion of the flexible portion 58 may extend outside of the cannula 18 via the slot 40 a of the needle 20 a, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31. In this arrangement, the pulling of the trigger 30 causes the anchor 70, the anchor 60, and the knot 64 to be deployed in that order.

Once the system 1 is assembled, the user places the spacer 28 between the knob 26 and the proximal end 15 of the body portion 14 so that the advancement of the anchor 60 will be limited until the placement of the anchor 70 is complete. The user then inserts the depth penetration limiter 21 and the outer sheath 22 over the distal end of the cannula 18 so as to cover the needle 20 during insertion of the needle 20 into the incision site. Once the needle 20 has been inserted into the incision site, the outer sheath 22 may be removed from the cannula 18. Of course, the use of the spacer 28, the outer sheath 22, and the depth penetration limiter 21 should be considered optional. The illustrated embodiment is not intended to be limiting in any way.

The user may then advance the anchors 60, 70 until the anchor 70 is located near the point 38 a of the needle 20 a, without extending out of the needle 20 a. The dimple 39 a may be used to assist with the placement of the anchor 70. In embodiments where the dimple 39 a is used, the user should feel a slight resistance to the advancement of the anchor 70, which signals the user to stop advancing the pusher 23. Of course, the use of the dimple 39 a should be considered to be optional. The illustrated embodiment is not intended to be limiting in any way.

While griping the handle 16 and the trigger 30 on the applicator 10, the user inserts the needle 20 a into a patient at an incision site so that the needle 20 a may then be inserted through the implant 82 and through the meniscus 80 at a first location 86, preferably near the center of the implant 82, to a side opposite the insertion site, as shown in FIG. 32. The user should be sure that the hitch knot 74 on the anchor 70 has passed through the meniscus 80, as shown in FIG. 32. In an embodiment, the user then advances the pusher 23 via the trigger 30 until the anchor 70 is pushed outside the needle 20 a, as shown in FIG. 33. The user should be careful to not advance the pusher 23 further to avoid the premature deployment of the anchor 60. The use of the spacer 28 assists in preventing the premature deployment of the anchor 60. In addition to, or in lieu of the spacer 23, the dimple 39 a that is located near the point 38 a of the needle 20 a may also be used to provide the user with tactile feedback that the anchor 60 has been advanced to its proper pre-deployment position.

As shown in FIG. 34, the user then retracts the needle 20 a slowly from the meniscus 80 and the implant 82, leaving the anchor 70 behind on the opposite side of the meniscus 80. The anchor 60 will remain inside the needle 20 a. If the user hasn't already done so, the user next advances the anchor 60 until the anchor 60 is located near the point 38 a of the needle 20 a. Again for embodiments that include the dimple 39 a, the dimple 39 a may be used to guide the user to correctly position the anchor 60.

While gripping the handle 16 and the trigger 30 on the applicator 10, the user inserts the needle 20 a though the implant 82 and through the meniscus 80 at a second location 88, which is preferably near the first location 86, until the center of the anchor 60 is outside the opposite side of the meniscus 80, as shown in FIG. 35. If the user hasn't already done so, the user next removes the spacer 28 from the rod 24 by grasping the tab 29 and pulling the spacer 28 away from the rod 24. The user then advances the pusher 23 until the anchor 60 is pushed outside the needle 20 a, as shown in FIG. 36. The user then retracts the needle 20 a, thereby leaving the anchor 60 on the opposite side of the meniscus 80, as shown in FIG. 37.

Having deployed both anchors 60, 70, the user may then advance the pusher 23 via the trigger 30 so that the rod 24 extends approximately 1 cm beyond the point 38 a of the needle 20 a, as shown in FIG. 38. While gripping the handle 16 and the trigger 30 of the applicator 10, the user then holds the tip of the rod 24 against the knot 64 and pushes the knot 64 to the surface of the implant 82, being careful not to push the knot 64 through the implant 82. The user continues to grip the handle 16 and the trigger 30 while gently pulling on the end 59 of the flexible portion 58 of the suture 12 at the proximal end 15 of the body portion 14 of the applicator 10 until slack in the suture 12 is taken up, and the anchors 60, 70 sit flat against the meniscus 80, as shown in FIGS. 39 and 40.

With the knot 64 now secured, the user may extend the rod 24 of the pusher 23 out of the needle 20 a approximately 1 cm. The user may then rotate the pusher 23 up to approximately 180°, or until the slots 42 and the exposed portion 44 of the suture 12 are positioned to come into contact with the cutting surface 37 a when the pusher 23 is pulled back toward the proximal end 15 of the body portion 14 of the applicator 10, as shown in FIG. 41. Holding the end 59 of the flexible portion 58 that extends out of the proximal end 15, the user may shear the exposed portion 44 of the suture 12 against the cutting surface 37 a by sliding the pusher 23 longitudinally against the cutting surface 37 a, as shown in FIG. 41, thereby leaving a short tail 67 near the knot 64, as shown in FIG. 43. The pusher 23 may have to be moved back and forth against the cutting surface 37 a before the suture 12 is fully cut.

In another embodiment, after the knot 64 is secured, while holding the end 59 of the flexible portion 58 that extends out of the proximal end 15, the user may shear the exposed portion 44 of the suture 12 against the cutting surface 33 a by sliding the cutting sheath 35 a along the distal end 36 a and toward the point 38 a of the needle 20 a, as shown in FIG. 42, thereby leaving a short tail 67 near the knot 64, as shown in FIG. 43. The cutting sheath 35 a may have to be moved back and forth along the distal end of the needle 20 a before the suture 12 is fully cut.

The aforementioned system 1 and method provide an all-inside suture fixation to the implant and meniscus, because the needle 20 a of the applicator 10 has not been removed from the patient's body between the deployment of the anchor 70, the pushing of the knot 64, and the cutting of the excess flexible portion 58 of the suture 12. This may be beneficial to the patient because it may reduce the time the applicator 10 is in the patient's body, and allows for a single, small entry point of the needle 20 a, at the incision, into the patient's body.

The user may then repeat the steps shown in FIGS. 32-43 for any remaining sutures 12 that are needed to complete the fixation of the implant 82 to the meniscus 80. Generally, it may take three or more sutures 12 to secure the implant 82.

Of course, in alternative embodiments, the user may remove the body portion 14 of the applicator 10 and pusher 23 from the cannula 18, and trim the excess flexible portion 58 of the suture 12 with scissors, or some other cutting device. The illustrated embodiments are not intended to be limiting in any way.

Also, in alternative embodiments, one or both of the anchors 60, 70 may be the anchor described above that includes one or more barbs. This allows the user to advance the pusher 23 via the trigger 30 only until a distal end of the anchor is located adjacent the point of the needle 20 in an orientation in which the barb is no longer engaged by the wall of the needle 20. When the anchor is in this position, the wall of the needle 20 is no longer exerting pressure on the barb, thereby allowing the barb to be biased outward and away from the body of the anchor. The barb may then be used to engage the anchor with the meniscus 80 so that when the user pulls the needle 20 back through the meniscus 80 and the implant 82, the entirety of the anchor will pull out of the needle 20 without further advancement of the pusher 23.

It is also contemplated that the needle 20 may be designed such that the tab 48 on the anchor 46 may be used to engage the anchor 46 with the meniscus 80 before the anchor 46 exits the needle 20. This allows the entirety of the anchor 46 to be pulled out of the needle 20 when the needle 20 is pulled back through the meniscus 80, rather than pushing the entirety of the anchor 46 out of the needle 20 with the pusher 23, as described in the embodiments above.

Although the above-described procedure was in the context of attaching an implant to a meniscus with needle penetration of the implant and the meniscus in a substantially horizontal stitch, a substantially similar procedure may be used for the placement of other types of stitches, such as vertical and oblique, as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art. The illustrated and described embodiments should not be considered to be limiting in any way.

In addition, although the above-described procedure was in the context of attaching an implant to a meniscus, a substantially similar procedure may be used to repair soft tissue, as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art. The illustrated and described embodiments should not be considered to be limiting in any way. For example, to repair a tear in the meniscus 80 with the suture 12, the needle 20 may be inserted through the meniscus 80 a first location near the tear. The first anchor 70 of the suture 12 may then be delivered to an opposite side of the meniscus 80, and the needle 20 retracted from the meniscus 80, without pulling out of the body. The needle may then be inserted through the meniscus 80 at a second location on an opposite side of the tear as the first location. The second anchor 60 of the suture 12 may then be delivered to the opposite side of the meniscus 80. Once the second anchor 60 is in the proper position, the user may then push the knot 64 to a surface of the meniscus 80 to tighten the suture. The excess of the flexible portion 58 of the suture 12 may then be cut with any of the cutting methods described above.

The foregoing disclosure of embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.

Further, in describing representative embodiments of the present invention, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. For example, any number of sutures may be prepared ahead of time. In addition, the advancement of the anchors within the cannula may occur before or after needle insertion. In addition, the delivery of the second anchor may not require that the needle be fully withdrawn; for example when two anchors are to be delivered through a single insertion site. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth herein should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

1. A system for repairing a meniscus comprising: a suture including a first anchor, a second anchor, and a flexible portion connecting the first anchor and the second anchor, the flexible portion including a self-locking slide knot between the first anchor and the second anchor; a needle having a longitudinal extending bore and an open end, the bore being configured to receive the first anchor and the second anchor; and a pusher configured to be movable within the bore of the needle, the pusher being configured to (1) discharge the first anchor and the second anchor, and (2) push the self-locking slide knot after the discharge of the second anchor.
 2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a cutting surface for cutting the flexible portion of the suture.
 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the needle comprises the cutting surface at the open end, and wherein the pusher is configured to align the flexible portion of the suture with the cutting surface and move relative to the cutting surface so as to cut the flexible portion of the suture.
 4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the cutting surface is disposed on a cutting sheath that at least partially surrounds the needle, and wherein the cutting sheath is configured to move relative to the needle so as to cut the flexible portion of the suture.
 5. The system according to claim 2, wherein the pusher comprises a hollow rod with a pair of slots, the slots being configured to expose a portion of the flexible portion of the suture so that the exposed portion is cut against the cutting surface.
 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the needle includes a dimple adjacent to the open end, the dimple being configured to locate the first anchor and the second anchor prior to discharge from the needle.
 7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a spacer for positioning the pusher relative to the needle, the spacer being configured to limit movement of the pusher when the first anchor is being discharged.
 8. A method for repairing a meniscus comprising: providing a system for repairing a meniscus, the system comprising; (i) a suture including a first anchor, a second anchor, and a flexible portion connecting the first anchor and the second anchor, the flexible portion including a self-locking slide knot between the first anchor and the second anchor; (ii) a needle having a longitudinal extending bore and an open end, the bore being configured to receive the first anchor and the second anchor; and (iii) a pusher configured to be movable within the bore of the needle, the pusher being configured to (1) discharge the first anchor and the second anchor, and (2) push the self-locking slide knot after the discharge of the second anchor; providing an implant; passing the needle of said system through the implant and the meniscus at a first location to deliver the first anchor to an opposite side of the meniscus; retracting the needle from the meniscus and the implant; passing the needle of said system through the implant and the meniscus at a second location to deliver the second anchor to the opposite side of the meniscus; and pushing the self-locking slide knot to a surface of the implant.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said opposite side of the meniscus is the meniscus rim.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the delivered first anchor sits against the meniscus rim and is not embedded in said meniscus, and wherein the delivered second anchor sits against the meniscus rim and is not embedded in said meniscus.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the length of the flexible portion is minimized so that the second anchor sits against the meniscus rim.
 12. The method according to claim 8, wherein said pushing includes advancing a distal end of the pusher beyond the open end of the needle.
 13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the implant comprises collagen.
 14. The method according to claim 8, wherein the implant comprises a collagen-based meniscus implant.
 15. The method according to claim 8, wherein said system further comprises a cutting surface, and wherein said method further comprises cutting the flexible portion of the suture against the cutting surface.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the needle comprises the cutting surface and the pusher is configured to align the flexible portion of the suture with the cutting surface, and wherein said cutting comprises moving the pusher relative to the cutting surface so as to shear the flexible portion of the suture against the cutting surface.
 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the system further comprises a cutting sheath comprising the cutting surface that at least partially surrounds the needle, and wherein said cutting comprises moving the cutting sheath relative to needle so as to shear the flexible portion of the suture against the cutting surface.
 18. The method according to claim 15, wherein said pushing and said cutting are completed without removing the needle or the pusher from the body in between said pushing and said cutting.
 19. A method for repairing a meniscus in a body with an implant and a suture, the method comprising: inserting a needle through the implant and the meniscus at a first location; delivering a first anchor of the suture to an opposite side of the meniscus; retracting the needle from the meniscus and the implant; inserting the needle through the implant and the meniscus at a second location; delivering a second anchor of the suture to the opposite side of the meniscus, the second anchor being connected to the first anchor with a flexible portion of the suture; and pushing a self-locking slide knot located along the flexible portion between the first anchor and the second anchor to a surface of the implant, wherein said delivering the second anchor and said pushing the self-locking knot are completed without removing the needle from the body.
 20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising cutting the flexible portion of the suture at a location adjacent the self-locking slide knot.
 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein said pushing and said cutting are completed without removing the needle from the body in between said pushing and said cutting.
 22. The method according to claim 20, wherein said cutting comprises shearing the flexible portion of the suture against a cutting surface disposed on the needle.
 23. The method according to claim 20, wherein said cutting comprises moving a cutting sheath that at least partially surrounds the needle and shearing the flexible portion of the suture against a cutting surface disposed on the cutting sheath.
 24. A method for repairing a tear in a meniscus in a body with a suture, the method comprising: inserting a needle through the meniscus at a first location; delivering a first anchor of the suture to an opposite side of the meniscus; retracting the needle from the meniscus; inserting the needle through the meniscus at a second location on an opposite side of the tear as the first location; delivering a second anchor of the suture to the opposite side of the meniscus, the second anchor being connected to the first anchor with a flexible portion of the suture; and pushing a self-locking slide knot located along the flexible portion between the first anchor and the second anchor to a surface of the meniscus, wherein said delivering the second anchor and said pushing the self-locking knot are completed without removing the needle from the body.
 25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising cutting the flexible portion of the suture at a location adjacent the self-locking slide knot.
 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein said pushing and said cutting are completed without removing the needle from the body in between said pushing and said cutting.
 27. The method according to claim 25, wherein said cutting comprises shearing the flexible portion of the suture against a cutting surface disposed on the needle.
 28. The method according to claim 25, wherein said cutting comprises moving a cutting sheath that at least partially surrounds the needle and shearing the flexible portion of the suture against a cutting surface disposed on the cutting sheath.
 29. An applicator for delivering a suture for repairing a meniscus in a body, the suture comprising a first anchor, a second anchor, and a flexible portion that connects the first anchor to the second anchor, the applicator comprising: a needle having a longitudinal bore, the longitudinal bore being configured to receive the first anchor and the second anchor; a pusher for pushing the first anchor and the second anchor out of the longitudinal bore of the needle, the pusher being configured to receive the flexible portion therein and expose a portion of the flexible portion of the suture; and a cutting surface configured to cut the suture.
 30. An applicator according to claim 29, wherein the applicator is configured to shear the exposed portion of the suture against the cutting surface.
 31. An applicator according to claim 30, wherein the cutting surface is located on the needle and the pusher is configured to shear the exposed portion of the suture against the cutting surface.
 32. An applicator according to claim 30, further comprising a cutting sheath at least partially surrounding the needle, wherein the cutting surface is located on the cutting sheath and the cutting sheath is configured to shear the exposed portion of the suture against the cutting surface. 